Some advice from you career-minded peeps please

[Rachel...lol]

Hey guys, I was hoping you wouldn't mind giving me some insight - I'm considering going back to school, but I am contemplating two completely different options.

Right now I have a BBA in Finance and an MBA (no specialization). I did Finance because at the time I was in banking, and it was easier than Accounting - but I really don't have a passion for it; I did my MBA shortly thereafter; when I broke my hip and couldn't work out for a while and needed a distraction. Now that I actually have a career, I have a much better idea of the things I am interested in professionally.

So right now I do inside sales/marketing/PR - whatever really my boss wants me to do. Often, he is asking me to create brochureware and put a "look and feel" to things - and I have to constantly tell him, that I am good at some things, but this I certainly am not. I didn't take any graphic design classes, I'm not super artistic, and I wish that I was a better resource for the whole creation of marketing collateral process. At the local community college that I did go to in 2000-2001, there is a Digital Prepress Certificate, as well as an Associates Degree. Would it be worth it for me, and/or a resume builder if I had an Associates in this area (which is pretty unrelated obviously to the Finance - make me look more versatile?) - or do you think I should just take a couple graphic design classes and screw it with the actual certification or degree?

OR

The part of my job that I am totally digging right now is media/public relations. I love interacting with different editors and publishers; getting my stuff published online and in print; doing op-eds, etc. I kind of feel like I missed my calling and should have gone to school for communications/PR/etc. That brings me to my next set of options. MSU has a couple of programs that really appeal to me:
1) Master of Arts in Telecommunication, Information Studies & Media with a specialization in Management of Information Technology (my company does IT solutions for credit unions - data processing, networking, H/A, DR, etc)
2) Doctor of Philosophy in Communication Arts & Sciences - Media & Information Studies


If I went for the doctorate I certainly wouldn't work fulltime - there are fellowship programs that pay $23K a year, your health insurance, and tuition. Granted that is way less than even half of what I make now, so I would have to either work part-time or on a consultant basis - or possible do some sort of paid adjunct or assistant position or something.

Or? Like my family thinks - just sit tight and work for a while? I always like to feel as if I'm working to better myself.... The one option that intrigues me the most is the Masters with the specialization in IT Management.

Any comments are welcome - please make me think about this - be the devil's advocate or whatever. Thanks

 

[stilleto]

this is my area of expertise.
my suggestion is to take a few graphic design classes, but to go into media/public relations. You don't want digital pre-press because if you're not artistic, you'll never be really great at that and the career will always be a struggle. I suggest the graphic design classes because i know how valuable it is to be able to do your own graphic design, even if you're not great at it. There are so many times I have sales people in my company say they need a version of our logo for something, or a pdf and they have no idea how to do it. It's fine, since i'm the graphic designer (and PR person), but it's a good thing to know.

there's a lot of aspects to media/PR, which means you won't easily get bored. If you can write, that's an advantage. It's actually almost a requirement.

 

[Rachel...lol]

this is my area of expertise.
my suggestion is to take a few graphic design classes, but to go into media/public relations. You don't want digital pre-press because if you're not artistic, you'll never be really great at that and the career will always be a struggle. I suggest the graphic design classes because i know how valuable it is to be able to do your own graphic design, even if you're not great at it. There are so many times I have sales people in my company say they need a version of our logo for something, or a pdf and they have no idea how to do it. It's fine, since i'm the graphic designer (and PR person), but it's a good thing to know.

there's a lot of aspects to media/PR, which means you won't easily get bored. If you can write, that's an advantage. It's actually almost a requirement.

Thanks - I was hoping you would chime in. Writing - yes i do quite a bit of it. I write press release for our company and am contracted out to write for others; as well as copy for marketing materials, websites, etc - as well as editorials, white papers, etc. As far as digital pre-press, I wasn't thinking necessarily of it "as a career", just to support what I do - but as you said - and like I was asking, it would just be beneficial for me to take a couple of classes rather than pursue an actual degree. And I am that person that can't do my own logos, etc - the tshirt design that I have posted up in that contest - I drew it out, and then had a graphic designer do it for me.

 

[BlueBird]

You've already got a masters, you don't need another masters, certainly not a doctorate!!1...and I don't know if this college automatically provides all masters/doctorate candidates with a fellowship?

I'm with Stilleto, take the graphics course (cheaper and more expeditious). Based on the design you submitted for that symposium, you seem to have a good sense of signal psychology and a good base of style.

 

[Rachel...lol]

You've already got a masters, you don't need another masters, certainly not a doctorate!!1...and I don't know if this college automatically provides all masters/doctorate candidates with a fellowship?

I'm with Stilleto, take the graphics course (cheaper and more expeditious). Based on the design you submitted for that symposium, you seem to have a good sense of signal psychology and a good base of style.

thanks - this is why I asked. I've always been one to think "more school will make you better" - and that's why I'm trying to sit back and just think about obtaining the specific skills that I need.

 

[lartinos]

School is one important but also most overrated things in terms of making money.
Unless you have something you are specifically going for it can turn into a horrible financial decision longterm. And honestly...
Fuck having a boss. Start your own business no matter how small it is with the skills you currently have or can attain on the side if it is feasible. Network and go from there.

 

[Rachel...lol]

School is one important but also most overrated things in terms of making money.
Unless you have something you are specifically going for it can turn into a horrible financial decision longterm. And honestly...
Fuck having a boss. Start your own business no matter how small it is with the skills you currently have or can attain on the side if it is feasible. Network and go from there.

actually yes - I would like to be self-employed. I'm going to be listed as a Managing Consultant for PR and marketing related things for a group of credit union consultants that are based out of CA; I'll be interested to see if I get any work out of it... they're just waiting on my head shot and my bio - getting the head shot done Wed morning.

 

[-SD-]

School is one important but also most overrated things in terms of making money.
Unless you have something you are specifically going for it can turn into a horrible financial decision longterm. And honestly...
Fuck having a boss. Start your own business no matter how small it is with the skills you currently have or can attain on the side if it is feasible. Network and go from there.

This, unless you are so ingrained in the "employee" mindset that you can't possibly fathom not working for someone else ever

 

[puddlemonkey]

I've always been one to think "more school will make you better"

Definitely not the case. Clearly I'm the bestest at everything and I dropped out of college. My advice to you is to post MOAR nudes.

 

[PICK3]

The part of my job that I am totally digging right now is media/public relations.

Master in Media Communications/PR

17 Advertising/Public Relations Graduate Programs & Graduate Schools in Michigan Page No: 1 - GradSchools.com

In the interim try to influence the evolution of your current position weighted more into this arena.

Pursue what you enjoy as the highest priority as future job outlooks/projections will likely change before you complete your studies (and you will be more likely to excel in what you enjoy).

define your future career goals > convey your goals to your employer > gain additional job experience/education > reassess

 

[layinback]

Rachel, take an honest look at your core competencies and Review your passions. Formulate your pursuits based on doing something you love that you're good at. Sounds simple and it is in a sense.
Be careful not to conflate education with income potential. It's always good to have a degree or 2, but at a certain point it's time to get busy being successful.

Read bios on people who have been sucsessful in your chosen field. You must be able to identify with them at some level. Read everything about them and start taking action. It's much easier to
duplicate success, inventing wheels is rather difficult and besides, you'll have plenty time to be creative once you build a template.

Focus on your core talents and surround yourself with peeps who specialize in everthing else. NEVER WASTE TIME TRYING TO LEARN CRAP YOU DON'T LIKE OR UNDERSTAND!!!
Hunker down, dig in and focus. Success is a mindset and some 18 hr days. Be careful not to "over think" things lol.

 

[-SD-]

Rachel, take an honest look at your core competencies and Review your passions. Formulate your pursuits based on doing something you love that you're good at. Sounds simple and it is in a sense.
Be careful not to conflate education with income potential. It's always good to have a degree or 2, but at a certain point it's time to get busy being successful.

Read bios on people who have been sucsessful in your chosen field. You must be able to identify with them at some level. Read everything about them and start taking action. It's much easier to
duplicate success, inventing wheels is rather difficult and besides, you'll have plenty time to be creative once you build a template.

Focus on your core talents and surround yourself with peeps who specialize in everthing else. NEVER WASTE TIME TRYING TO LEARN CRAP YOU DON'T LIKE OR UNDERSTAND!!!
Hunker down, dig in and focus. Success is a mindset and some 18 hr days. Be careful not to "over think" things lol.

I pretty much wish I never went to grad school. at this point it was a total waste of cash being im self employed and plan on staying that way

 

[layinback]

I pretty much wish I never went to grad school. at this point it was a total waste of cash being im self employed and plan on staying that way

DOOOOOD! rethink that! it's part of the journey..... even if it's to tell someone
else, Don't go to grad school." lol funny but true.

100 bucks to a donut, your goin to grad school fits in somewhere.

bro, i wish i didn't but truth is i do, i regret dropping out of school.
not in the domain of income/success, but the "following through"
aspect. now my kids are like, " dad you didn't go to college and look
at you." and i'm like, " goddamnit, you gotta follow through and you
need a degree to get your foot in the door in any job this side of the
car wash!

 

[EnderJE]

Holy crap! A serious thread in EF with Rachel in it!

I'm with Stilleto. If you've got one, then go for the other especially if it's your passion.

 

[-SD-]

DOOOOOD! rethink that! it's part of the journey..... even if it's to tell someone
else, Don't go to grad school." lol funny but true.

100 bucks to a donut, your goin to grad school fits in somewhere.

bro, i wish i didn't but truth is i do, i regret dropping out of school.
not in the domain of income/success, but the "following through"
aspect. now my kids are like, " dad you didn't go to college and look
at you." and i'm like, " goddamnit, you gotta follow through and you
need a degree to get your foot in the door in any job this side of the
car wash!

Yea you dont really have credibility when you tell your kids to go to college when you never went and are doing good. If I were you I wold focus their attention on the stats of everyone else instead of just yourself, which is only 1 data point out of millions.

I dont regret going to grad school, I regret the student loans that are piled on because of it. Also sometimes feel like a loser for "not using my accounting degrees" but plenty of people arent exactly using their degrees in their chosen fields so whatever. Im starting to realize the only thing that matters is being happy and not following any preconcieved path that society or others have expected of everyone just because "thats the way youre supposed to do it" according to some imaginary Rule Book of Life that I forgot to read.

 

[PICK3]

Rachel, take an honest look at your core competencies and Review your passions. Formulate your pursuits based on doing something you love that you're good at. Sounds simple and it is in a sense.

agreed!

wished I would have said it (oh yeah I did )

It's always good to have a degree or 2, but at a certain point it's time to get busy being successful.

What does "being successful" mean?

If should can sustain herself, pursuing something she enjoys would be my definition of successful.

If $$$ is your motivation ... ditch all the generalist BS, e.g. PR/inside sales/making your boss coffee, etc ... and dedicate yourself to becoming a true outside, commissioned sales professional.

There are more people in the U.S. that earn >6 figures in sales than any other profession. Also, approximately 75% of CEO's in the U.S. came from sales ranks.

Any comments are welcome - please make me think about this - be the devil's advocate or whatever. Thanks

Right now you're all over the place. You have a lot of soul searching to do. You stated career objectives from Communications to Visual Arts to IT Mgmt and educational objectives from certificate programs at a CC to doctoral level training.

Narrow your objectives down to the most viable.

 

[Rachel...lol]

agreed!

wished I would have said it (oh yeah I did )




What does "being successful" mean?

If should can sustain herself, pursuing something she enjoys would be my definition of successful.

If $$$ is your motivation ... ditch all the generalist BS, e.g. PR/inside sales/making your boss coffee, etc ... and dedicate yourself to becoming a true outside, commissioned sales professional.

There are more people in the U.S. that earn >6 figures in sales than any other profession. Also, approximately 75% of CEO's in the U.S. came from sales ranks.



Right now you're all over the place. You have a lot of soul searching to do. You stated career objectives from Communications to Visual Arts to IT Mgmt and educational objectives from certificate programs at a CC to doctoral level training.

Narrow your objectives down to the most viable.

I don't disagree with you there - it's trying to figure out if I should do what I want to do - or what's best for my career (and what is best for my career, etc)

 

[PICK3]

I don't disagree with you there - it's trying to figure out if I should do what I want to do - or what's best for my career (and what is best for my career, etc)

Typically I would recommend following your heart at all costs.

But in today's uncertain economic environment and listening to the doomsayers of the future outlook (that means you Plunkey) I wouldn't take the risk I would have in the past.

Personally, I hate my job and had a good inclination that I would when I took my last promotion. I didn't take the promotion because of a pay raise, but because of the future ramifications of career progression and the ability to contribute more to my retirement plan that would effect me for the rest of my life.

My skill set was better suited for my last position, but luckily I've managed to recreate my current job somewhat in accordance with my strengths.

 

[-SD-]

Your career is supposed to serve you and your happiness. You don't exist to serve your career. Sounds like you've worked for Big Corp too long and need to step back and reassess what's really going to make you happy. Adding more letters after your name doesn't make you happy if it all serves the wrong goal for what you really want.

 

[legendz]

I don't disagree with you there - it's trying to figure out if I should do what I want to do - or what's best for my career (and what is best for my career, etc)

Do what you need to do to just make a decent living today even if it's not the job of your dreams BUT you MUST simultaneously chart a path to reach your biggest dreams and make sure you're following it every day, even if you're moving slowly toward it. The best careers are centered on dreams those people had. Once you're doing something that you truly love, that you would do even without pay, it's no longer work for the sake of work. It's a passion that you can potentially make a financially lucrative career out of (in addition to being fulfilled on a much deeper, more meaningful level).

To answer one of your initial questions: I myself am a graphic designer. I would recommend just taking a class on each of the most important things you feel you need to know how to do yourself. Don't spend the money, time or effort to pursue a certificate or other degree if you just need to learn how to do a few tasks, especially if those tasks are technical and, as such are subject to change or become outmoded/unnecessary in the course of ever-evolving technology.

If part of your dream is to be self-employed, by all means work toward that goal.

Many of the other comments in this thread are quite valuable and you should consider their advice.

In short, listen to yourself and your dreams above all else and follow what they say as your main guide through your life.

Best of luck to you.

 

[PICK3]

Your career is supposed to serve you and your happiness. You don't exist to serve your career.

I envy people that have a "calling" to a vocation, I never have.

I'm finally defining a purpose beyond a paycheck for my time at work, e.g., looking out for subordinates' interest with upper management when they wouldn't otherwise have a voice.

Working for yourself is a romantic concept and many good bros here are successful at it, but in actuality most who are self-employed are experiencing extraordinarily difficult times.

Working for "teh man" may involve compromising your values, but for retirement and medical benefits I'll do a little soul whoring.

 

[javaguru]

I skimmed your post and my advice is to start a business.

Getting a PHD is generally only useful if you want to go into academia/research, that means you care more about research than profit. If you want to make money, start a business.

 

[PICK3]

I skimmed your post and my advice is to start a business.

Getting a PHD is generally only useful if you want to go into academia/research, that means you care more about research than profit. If you want to make money, start a business.

You obviously didn't commit my contributions in this thread to memory

 

[javaguru]

You obviously didn't commit my contributions in this thread to memory

Like most multi-page posts I barely read the first and created the last.

 

[PICK3]

Like most multi-page posts I barely read the first and created the last.

generally a recommended protocol but skipping my post which are often profound may be detrimental to your actualization process

just sayin'

 

[Rachel...lol]

no thread hijacking please thanks guys

 

[javaguru]

Ok Rachel...what are you looking for?

IMO, there are two types of people that go to college.
1. Those that enjoy learning and consider the outcome of better earning potential a benefit.
2. Those that see it merely as a means to an end and couldn't care less about what doesn't give them an advantage in their chosen career path.

This was the primary conflict between my ex-wife and myself. She got her MBA and was a rising star at UPS almost solely to gain the respect of her peers from college, Albion University, she felt surpassed her because she spent a few years bouncing around and following the Grateful Dead. It was a critical point in our relationship when I told her that I didn't want to practice law. She conspired with my mother in law to give me an intervention from some of the professors I respected and it backfired because I realized she didn't understand my most basic motivations.

It went to the point where she arranged an interview with Arthur Andersen for a tax attorney position, her aunt was a hiring partner.

 

[javaguru]

generally a recommended protocol but skipping my post which are often profound may be detrimental to your actualization process

just sayin'

Have you been reading your L Ron Hubbard?

 

[-SD-]

This was the primary conflict between my ex-wife and myself. She got her MBA and was a rising star at UPS almost solely to gain the respect of her peers from college, Albion University, she felt surpassed her because she spent a few years bouncing around and following the Grateful Dead. It was a critical point in our relationship when I told her that I didn't want to practice law. She conspired with my mother in law to give me an intervention from some of the professors I respected and it backfired because I realized she didn't understand my most basic motivations.

It went to the point where she arranged an interview with Arthur Andersen for a tax attorney position, her aunt was a hiring partner.

Golddigger alert. Its interesting to note she is now an exwife

 

[-SD-]

Shelagh wasn't a Gold digger...she was a status digger. She wanted the respect of her peers and society more than anything. I could have been a typical penniless attorney and she would have been happy with the label as opposed to me being a high school educated millionaire janitorial supplier.

Yea Ive caame across those types as well and its even worse, at least golddiggers and their suckers have the cash.

 

[javaguru]

Golddigger alert. Its interesting to note she is now an exwife

Shelagh wasn't a Gold digger...she was a status digger. She wanted the respect of her peers and society more than anything. I could have been a typical penniless attorney and she would have been happy with the label as opposed to me being a high school educated millionaire janitorial supplier.

 

[mrplunkey]

I personally prefer the go-back-to-school option.

Guess I have to be in the minority on this thread.

But I also agree with pick3. Do a little soul-searching and then put all your wood behind one arrow. (yes pick3, I said "wood" and the arrow can clearly be viewed as a phallic reference).

 

[Rachel...lol]

I personally prefer the go-back-to-school option.

Guess I have to be in the minority on this thread.

But I also agree with pick3. Do a little soul-searching and then put all your wood behind one arrow. (yes pick3, I said "wood" and the arrow can clearly be viewed as a phallic reference).

My reason for wanting to go back to school (the Masters program mainly) - is that I've become increasingly fascinated with certain facets of my job - and I want to learn more, I want a more educationally diverse background than I have. Like I said earlier, I went to school and just did programs "just because", now I've found things that I enjoy learning about - and I want that experience of having true interest in what I'm learning, while being able to apply it to my career. There's a whole 'relational' learning aspect that I feel I missed out on; if that makes sense.

 

[mrplunkey]

My reason for wanting to go back to school (the Masters program mainly) - is that I've become increasingly fascinated with certain facets of my job - and I want to learn more, I want a more educationally diverse background than I have. Like I said earlier, I went to school and just did programs "just because", now I've found things that I enjoy learning about - and I want that experience of having true interest in what I'm learning, while being able to apply it to my career. There's a whole 'relational' learning aspect that I feel I missed out on; if that makes sense.

It makes a ton of sense.

You'll get even more from education when you have a good idea of how you want to use it.

 

[ceo]

I think this one:

1) Master of Arts in Telecommunication, Information Studies & Media with a specialization in Management of Information Technology

 

[PICK3]

But I also agree with pick3.

you are wise beyond your years

There's a whole 'relational' learning aspect that I feel I missed out on; if that makes sense.

Do you mean focusing your learning towards objectives that align your career with your "life mission"?

 

[Rachel...lol]

you are wise beyond your years



Do you mean focusing your learning towards objectives that align your career with your "life mission"?

I think if I'm getting you correctly, yes. I'm saying I enjoy certain parts of my job that relate to that industry, and I would like to learn more about it because it interests me. You're getting a little too philisophical on me when you talk "Life Mission" though.

 

[PICK3]

You're getting a little too philisophical on me when you talk "Life Mission" though.

Sorry.

Guess I was a little too inspired after revisiting Glad's 5-year plan

 

[-SD-]

I think if I'm getting you correctly, yes. I'm saying I enjoy certain parts of my job that relate to that industry, and I would like to learn more about it because it interests me. You're getting a little too philisophical on me when you talk "Life Mission" though.

Considering the source Im sure hes fucking with you by now.

 

[-SD-]

 

[javaguru]

I would like to point out the fact that the NASA engineers that got us to the moon had a BS...they didn't realize it couldn't be done.

 

[EnderJE]

Considering the source Im sure hes fucking with you by now.

I'm waiting for him to call her "grasshopper".

 

[PICK3]

I would like to point out the fact that the NASA engineers that got us to the moon had a BS...they didn't realize it couldn't be done.

I've been to Uranus before I earned a baccalaureate

 

[javaguru]

I've been to Uranus, in my dreams, before I earned a baccalaureate

Fixed for you...

 

[javaguru]

Yea Ive caame across those types as well and its even worse, at least golddiggers and their suckers have the cash.

People want what they want...wiminz are different from men and have their own agenda of wants. I don't have a bad word to say about my ex, we just had different views on life. She did admit when we were walking to our final court appearance that sometimes you don't realize how good you have it...Yeah, I'm a good bf/husband.....